Deep Pockets

Here's how much Biden and Trump have raised. [For the best experience, read in browser.]( July 17, 2023 The numbers are in… the campaign finance reports, that is. We’re breaking down [which presidential candidates have raised the most money so far](. Then, I talk to political consultant extraordinaire Karl Rove about [the problems both parties are facing]( right now. Later, we reveal [the top 20 places in the U.S.]( to settle down — and if you want to get out of town, try one of these [10 convenient beach getaways](. All that, plus [the highlights from Nordstrom’s amazing sale](, right here!   In the News [Mike Pence, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, and Ron DeSantis on background of $100 bills]( Getty Images / KCM Deep Pockets Over the weekend, Biden, Trump, and all the other 2024 hopefuls were required to file their campaign finance reports. Here’s a breakdown of [who’s leading in donations]( and some key takeaways: Ahead of the pack: President Biden’s reelection campaign raised more than $72 million in the second quarter — way more than any of his competitors. That’s partly because he’s relying on a joint fundraising committee that has a much higher donation limit than an individual campaign. Trouble for DeSantis? There’s some concern that the Florida governor is burning cash too quickly. He spent nearly $8 million in the first six weeks of his run and recently fired a dozen staffers, a sign that his camp may be feeling the financial strain. Will Pence make the cut? Recent campaign filings suggest that the former VP could be dangerously close to missing out on the RNC’s first debate. Candidates need 40,000 unique donors to qualify and, while some long-shots like Nikki Haley and Chris Christie have already said that they’ve reached that threshold, it’s unclear whether Pence will have enough backers to join them on the stage. Here’s a closer look at [how much Trump and other contenders have raised]( and why DeSantis might have trouble fundraising. [READ MORE]( PASS THIS STORY ALONG: mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20this%20story%20from%20Wake-Up%20Call%21&body=https%3A%2F%2Fkatiecouric.com%2Fnews%2Fpolitics-and-policy%2Ftrump-desantis-biden-campaign-fundraising%2F   More Stories [Jane Birkin in 1971]( Getty Images Farewell to a doe-eyed heroine: Jane Birkin, singer, film star, and fashion muse, has died at 76. Birkin moved from Britain to France in the sixties, after the collapse of her marriage to the composer John Barry. She didn't speak the language, but quickly rose to fame thanks to movie roles and her relationship with French actor and singer Serge Gainsbourg. The public's fascination with the couple was fanned by their artistic collaborations — most notably on the steamy duet Je t’aime… moi non plus (I Love You… Me Neither). Here's more on their tempestuous romance — plus [how Birkin inspired the creation of the iconic Hermès bag.]( Prime suspect: A man suspected to be a serial killer who's terrorized Long Island for more than a decade has been taken into custody. Rex Heuermann, 59, was charged with the murder of three of the four women known as the "Gilgo four" in New York on Thursday. The deaths have confounded investigators since the disappearance of a woman in 2010 led to the discovery of at least 10 sets of human remains. Heuermann, who is also the "prime suspect" in a fourth murder, has pleaded not guilty. Fatal floods: Authorities are on the hunt for a two-year-old girl and her nine-month-old brother who were swept away by flood water in southeastern Pennsylvania over the weekend. The children and their family were driving to a barbeque when they got caught in the flash floods. Their father and a sibling escaped, but their mother was killed by the rapid waters, as were four others in Bucks County. "The monster is dead": A man accused of killing four neighbors in Hampton, Georgia, has been shot dead by police. "The entire state of Georgia can breathe a little easier tonight," Sheriff Reginald B. Scandrett said. Andre Longmore, 40, is believed to have fatally shot Scott Levitt, 67, Shirley Levitt, 66, Steve Blizzard, 65, and Ronald Jeffers, 66, on Saturday morning. All lived in or close to the Dogwood Lakes Drive community where Longmore also resides. No motive has been discovered so far.   Photo of the Day [Carlos Alcaraz kisses the Wimbledon trophy] Carlos Alcaraz holds the Men's Singles Trophy following his victory in the Men's Singles Final against Novak Djokovic. (Getty Images) In a stunning upset, 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz beat out four-time defending champion Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final yesterday. Alcaraz came back from a two-set deficit to take home the title, his first Wimbledon win and his second Grand Slam trophy. “It’s great to win but even if I had lost, I would be really proud of myself with this amazing run, making history in this beautiful tournament, playing a final against a legend of our sport,” Alcaraz said.   Must-Reads [Katie Couric and Karl Rove]( Party Talk American politics is changing on both sides of the aisle. I spoke to Karl Rove about the future of the GOP and whether he thinks Trump is it. [Read More »]( [Pie chart with each slice being different cities]( America's Next Top Town You may have pride in your city, but does it land on the official list of the best places to live in the U.S.? There’s only one way to find out. [Read More »]( [Clear skull filled with colorful pills on black background]( Hard Deadline? POV: You have a headache and reach into your cabinet for Tylenol, only to see the bottle is expired. Before you dispose of it, read this. [Read More »](   Meal Prep Monday [Meghan Markle in front of acai bowls on purple background]( Getty Images / KCM Get your week off to a proper start with [Meghan Markle’s açai bowl]( — because if it’s good enough for the Duchess, it’s good enough for us. Her simple and nutritious recipe tastes just like the $17 ones you’d get at a trendy smoothie spot, for a fraction of the price. [READ MORE](   Extra Credit Make waves: Looking to get away? We rounded up the [10 best beach destinations near the U.S.](, where you can have your toes in the sand (and a cocktail in hand) in under five hours. 5 things you can’t miss: We’ve all been counting down the days until Barbie and Oppenheimer premiere, which is finally happening this week. But that’s not all we’re looking forward to — here’s [all the entertainment we’re tuning into](. Steep savings: The semi-annual sale is on at NYDJ, where you can take [25% off sitewide on their ultra-flattering jeans]( — yes, even the ones in the [sale section](.   Have It All [La Mer Creme de la Mer, Nike black sneakers, black Coach bag on teal background]( KCM It’s here! Nordstrom’s Anniversary Sale is kicking off with major savings, but fair warning: These deals tend to get scooped up quickly, so if you see something you like, we don’t recommend sleeping on it. That’s kind of a lot of pressure, we know, so to save you some time we scoured the sale to bring you [the best of the best](: - Just looking around? Here are [the best all-around deals](, from pajamas to carseats. - Beauty buffs, bookmark this page: Score [major savings on cult-favorite brands]( and products. [SEE MORE](   [Know it all, and help your friends catch up, too. Share Wake-Up Call and you'll earn some superb swag.]( Thanks for reading Wake-Up Call and being part of our community! If you've got questions or comments, drop us a line at info@katiecouric.com. See you tomorrow! [Alternate text] Update your preferences or [unsubscribe]( If you buy something through this email, KCM may earn a commission. Katie Couric Media, 75 Varick St, Ste 12, New York, NY - 10013-1917 Copyright © 2023 Katie Couric Media, All rights reserved.